"I had to prove to her that I didn't belong there."

When Dr. Mary Rice-Boothe was in kindergarten, her teacher placed every Black student in the lowest reading group — without a single test. That moment fueled a 25-year career transforming equity in education, from leading transfer schools in East Harlem to founding a micro-school for neurodivergent learners.

In this episode of Who Needs Shoes, Tanya Manning-Yarde, PhD, sits down with Dr. Mary Rice-Boothe to discuss the high cost of leadership and the internal liberation required to fight for equity. From her time as a principal in East Harlem's transfer schools to founding Leading Within LLC, Dr. Mary shares why she eventually moved from giant systems to founding a micro-school for neurodivergent learners.

🎧 Subscribe to Who Needs Shoes for weekly conversations at the intersection of parenting, advocacy, and neurodiversity.

In this episode, we explore:

*The "Compliance" Trap: Why a love for learning is often mistaken for simple compliance.

*Transfer Schools: Serving as the final safety net for "over-age and under-credited" students.

*The Portfolio Approach: How measuring the "weight of a student's thoughts" creates true equity.

*The Pivot to Micro-Schools: Why intimacy and personalization are the future of education.

*Expert as Mother: Navigating the system as a parent of neurodivergent children.

🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. MARY RICE-BOOTHE:

Website: https://www.mriceboothe.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mriceboothe/

Latest Book: Navigating Power, Harnessing Possibility

👟 ABOUT WHO NEEDS SHOES:

Who Needs Shoes is a podcast for families navigating autism — built on authentic connection, advocacy, and joy. Hosted by educator and advocate Tanya Manning-Yarde, PhD, the show challenges the arbitrary rules of compliance that hold neurodivergent children back.

Websites: whoneedsshoes.com

Editorial Services: tmyediting.com

What does it mean to be the "Architect of your own Galaxy" when your world is shaped by the needs of others?

In this episode of Who Needs Shoes?, Dr. Tanya Manning-Yarde sits down with media creator, autism advocate, and son, Keith Yarde. Keith is an eighth grader with an incredible resume: five years co-hosting the Father.Son.Galaxy. YouTube Channel and Podcast, stop-motion animator, and aspiring novelist. But he also carries a "silent contract"—the unspoken pressure to be the reliable, neurotypical anchor for his family.

In this interview, Keith opens up about:

*The Anchor Mentality: Why he feels there is less room for him to make mistakes than his peers.

*Creative Refuges: How building worlds in Minecraft and Legos provides a necessary escape from an unpredictable reality.

*The "Gifted to Washout Pipeline": A startlingly mature look at why gifted students lose interest when their potential isn't nurtured.

*Gate-keeping Resources: Why knowledge about autism support is often hidden from the families who need it most.

This isn’t just a conversation about autism; it’s a deep dive into identity, the weight of expectations, and the resilience of a young creator carving out his own space.

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Get Involved:

🌐 Visit the show: www.whoneedsshoes.com

📧 Partner, sponsor, or guest: askwhoneedsshoes@gmail.com

Welcome to the first episode of "Who Needs Shoes," a podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to building community, offering support, and finding joy in the journey of parenting with special needs.

Hosts Kerwin Yarde and Dr. Tanya Manning-Yarde share their personal experiences raising their son, Maceo, who is on the autism spectrum. They discuss their journey from the initial diagnosis to the important lessons they've learned about advocacy and education. In this episode, you'll hear the inspiring story behind the name 'Who Needs Shoes'—a symbol for breaking down barriers to learning and celebrating neurodiversity.

This is more than just a podcast; it's a safe space designed to share stories, challenge misconceptions, and remind everyone that every child, including Maceo, can succeed. Join the community!

Website: whoneedsshoes.com

IG: @WhoNeedsShoes

Editing Services: tmyediting.com